Comparing the Religion-State Divide in the Arab World: Constitutions

Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the Elliot School of International Affairs at George Washington University, asserts that “Arab constitutions are not abnormally religious,” even though they legally integrate religion in different ways. “Religion appears in the constitutions of the Arab world, almost all with Muslim majorities, in a variety of ways. But aside from ensuring a public role for religion, most of these states are not theocratic. Instead they show considerable diversity by invoking religion (including clauses religious exercise and religious freedom) in at least six ways. Read more. Image credit: Wikimedia